All Too Hard Heading Towards Caulfield Guineas 2012

The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained All Too Hard is back in work ahead of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival where the half-brother to ace sprinter Black Caviar will likely target the 2012 Caulfield Guineas.

Two-year-old Casino Prince colt All Too Hard, who shares the same dam Helsinge as undefeated turf queen Black Caviar and who is owned by Patinack Farm’s Nathan Tinkler, was one of the spruik youngsters of the autumn winning their opening three career starts.

A debut victory in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington in February was followed by an emphatic four length success in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

All Too Hard became a dual Group 2 winner next time out with their win in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) before their magic run came to an end on April 14 at Royal Randwick.

Encountering the season’s best juvenile All Too Hard was unable to match it with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Pierro when they ran second to the Golden Slipper winner in the Group 1 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

Pierro would go on to claim the autumn 2YO’s triple crown with another faultless performance in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) on Sydney Cup Day while All Too Hard was spelled after their Sires Produce loss.

Tipped for improvement and maturity for their upcoming campaign, All Too Hard will look to break their Group 1 maiden during the spring with the $1 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday October 13 the favoured goal.

“He’s grown up and matured,” Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his great father John and brother Wayne, said.

“There are exciting times ahead.

“What he did at two was good. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but he was beaten by a superstar (in Pierro).”

Hawkes added that Tinkler wasn’t taking the ‘easy’ approach with All Too Hard who is already a valuable stallion prospect and was keen for the horse to get out there and run some more miles before considering them for stud.

“The thing with Nathan is that he loves to race his horses,” Hawkes said.

“He doesn’t interfere with what we do.

“All Too Hard could go to stud now (but) that’s not what it’s all about.

“He has untapped potential and the sky’s the limit.”

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